SITUATION UPDATE # 3

Damage assessments and clean up efforts continue

After the heavy prolonged rainfall of yesterday, there are some areas that remain inundated today. They are:-

• Pasea Link Road
• Bamboo Settlement (affected by overflow from St Joseph River)
• St Augustine South
• San Raphael
• Manuel Congo
• Vega De Oropouche
• Some farming areas west of the Uriah Butler Highway (due to overtopping along some parts of the Caroni River).

The water levels at the Caroni River remain critically high and are being monitored at this time. Residents in close proximity to the Caroni River have been asked to remain vigilant and take the necessary measures such as elevating valuables, placing all important documents in strong water proof containers and listening to all media to keep updated.

N.B. Orange Grove Road in St Augustine South remains closed until further notice.

Please note the following actions:

• Today the National Security Operations Centre (NSOC) was activated to monitor the situation, and address as needed. Representatives from the ODPM, TTDF, Ministry of the People and Social Development, and other agencies were present.  Monitoring included aerial reconnaissance of the East-West corridor;
  • The 1^st Engineer Battalion of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and the Disaster Management Units of the municipal corporations were out in the affected areas, conducting damage assessments and needs analyses of impacted areas;
  • The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure responded to the North Coast Road (fallen trees and landslides), Blanchisseuse/Arima Road (landslides and debris); and debris from St Augustine South;
  • The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) responded to lost power and electrical line damage due to the fallen trees in St Augustine South;
  • Crews from CEPEP responded in D’abadie, Tunapuna and have assisted with clean up efforts in these areas;
  • The ODPM has provided relief (such as sand bags and mattresses) from its warehouse to some residents in the most affected regions. Relief supplies will continue to be distributed as official assessments are made.

Clean up efforts may take longer than expected due to slow water run off, water-logged soil and persistent rainfall but we assure citizens that the ODPM, as the lead coordinator, continues to work with all first responders and critical agencies to ensure that normalcy returns to residents and there is little disruption to daily operations.

We underscore the following:-

• Avoid driving on damaged roadways and areas prone to land slippage (e.g., steep hillsides)
• Help neighbours, family and friends when possible
• The needs of all citizens remain important to us but the special population (very young, the elderly, the differently-abled and pregnant women) are our highest priority and are receiving our urgent attention.

The ODPM reminds all citizens that if they have been affected by this weather, they must contact their municipal corporation or the ODPM at 800 6376.

Issued by:-

Public Information, Education and Community Outreach Unit

640 1285 / publicinfo.odpm@gmail.com